"And now, the representatives from our kingdom's Duke Families will make their appearance!" the host announced, building anticipation. The crowd held its breath. It wasn't every day that the heads of all the Duke Families gathered in one place.
"Lord Kazuma Hirosaki from the Kazuma Dukedom."
An imposing figure stepped forward, his fiery red eyes commanding attention. His wild crimson hair, like a blaze, framed a face that radiated power and discipline. With a muscular build, he embodied strength, his very presence exuding an aura of intense energy.
"Lady Mizuno Aoi from the Mizuno Dukedom."
A woman appeared, her sapphire eyes as calm and deep as the sea. Her translucent blue hair shimmered down her back, her slender form moving with quiet grace. She commanded attention not through force but through the serene aura that surrounded her.
"Lord Yamada Kiyoshi from the Yamada Dukedom."
A small, muscular man with steady brown eyes appeared next. His dark brown hair was neatly groomed, his demeanor calm but confident. Despite his size, his presence radiated an aura of protection, as though nothing could shake his resolve.
"Lady Kazehana Yuriko from the Kazehana Dukedom."
A woman with pale green eyes, sparkling with playful mischief, moved forward. Her emerald hair flowed as if guided by the wind itself. Slender and agile, she seemed to glide through the air, her presence akin to a breeze—light, swift, and impossible to contain.
"Lady Kagayaki Akiko from the Kagayaki Dukedom."
A woman with golden eyes that gleamed with radiant brilliance appeared. Her silver hair moved with an ethereal grace, each step exuding quiet confidence. Her presence soothed those around her, like a beacon of warmth in a cold world.
"Lord Yamikage Shouhei from the Yamikage Dukedom."
A man with dark, empty eyes emerged, his dark pitch black hair framing his face in controlled chaos. His slender build masked an unsettling aura, a quiet danger that warned others to approach with caution. His presence was the embodiment of hidden strength, a silent threat to anyone who underestimated him.
The crowd erupted into cheers. It had been years since they had seen the heads of Arcanora's six strongest families together.
The Duke Heads, however, moved with dignified calm towards the VIP box. As they settled into their seats, the host continued.
"Now, let's call the participants of today's event!"
Six young mages appeared near the Duke Families, while one lone figure appeared by Hikari's side—Kazuki. The six participants sized him up, while Kazuki returned their gaze, an unspoken challenge hanging in the air. Yet the crowd's attention lingered on Kazuki, this being their first glimpse of him in person.
Before tensions could rise further, the host spoke again.
"Usually, we hold three matches between the heirs, but since there is an additional participant today, we will be conducting this event in a knockout format."
The host's excitement grew as he explained how the rankings would be determined. The participants' positions were based on their performances in the Academy's preliminary exams. The results, normally confidential, would now be revealed to the public.
As the instructor activated the artifact, four screens appeared in the sky, displaying the rankings.
However, the crowd fell into a hush. The results of one student were too shocking.
============================================================
------------------Regia Nevaris Academy of Magic------------------
-----------------------Examination Results----------------------
1. Takamura Kazuki
Written Evaluation: 96/100
Mana Aptitude Evaluation: 78/100
2. Kagayaki Aiko
Written Evaluation: 80/100
Mana Aptitude Evaluation: 82/100
3. Yamikage Shin
Written Evaluation: 78/100
Mana Aptitude Evaluation: 82/100
4. Kazuma Takumi
Written Evaluation: 74/100
Mana Aptitude Evaluation: 84/100
5. Yamada Riku
Written Evaluation: 76/100
Mana Aptitude Evaluation: 78/100
6. Mizuno Haruka
Written Evaluation: 76/100
Mana Aptitude Evaluation: 76/100
7. Kazehana Airi
Written Evaluation: 74/100
Mana Aptitude Evaluation: 76/100
============================================================
"....what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Yamikage Shouhei questioned, his voice heavy with suspicion. His aura darkened, unsettling those nearby.
"An almost perfect score, huh..." Kazehana Yuriko muttered, her eyes gleaming with curiosity as she scrutinized Kazuki. The other Dukes exchanged glances, similarly astonished.
"What's the issue?" Hikari interjected calmly.
"Don't act like you don't know!" Shouhei snapped in a venomous tone. "How did that brat score so high on the written exam? You dare manipulate the scores for your grandson?!"
Shouhei's anger was understandable—allowing a non-noble to compete was one thing, but to have him outscore their own heirs was a deep insult, especially since Kazuki's magic abilities seemed weaker than the others.
Hikari's gaze hardened. "Are you doubting the Academy's integrity, Yamikage Shouhei?"
The tension thickened as Hikari's aura pressed down on everyone present. The people present were horrified. Yet Shouhei did not back down. Several Duke Heads seemed to share his suspicions, though Kagayaki Aiko stood aside, her respect for Hikari holding her in check.
Realizing the situation was on the verge of escalating, Hikari made a decision. He snapped his fingers and formed a special sound barrier enveloping them and took out a badge bearing the insignia of a six-winged angel, a symbol known to all—the authority of the Royal Family.
"I speak now with the full backing of the Arashiyama Family," Hikari declared. Immediately, the Dukes' auras shifted. The presence of the Royal Family meant no one could press the issue further without consequence.
"The monitoring artifacts used by our Academy are hand-crafted by the members of Invictus Royal Family," Hikari revealed. The Dukes' eyes widened in shock.
"Top-class artifacts were entrusted to us by the Invictus Kingdom to prevent sabotage and infiltration from Lux Arcena Kingdom. These artifacts not only detect interference but can also be used for interrogation. They are capable of reading even the subconscious thoughts of individuals, including those under demonic influence."
The atmosphere became tense as the weight of Hikari's revelation sank in. "The Royal Family mandated the use of these artifacts in the Academy, knowing that future heirs of strong families are more vulnerable to external threats than important members of those families, who are more than capable of defending themselves. These artifacts ensure their safety and the integrity of their education."
Pausing for emphasis, he added, "As for the written exam, they are evaluated by the Veridex Prism, an artifact that holds the collective magical knowledge of the Invictus Kingdom. It cross-references every answer with that knowledge to judge its authenticity. It cannot make mistakes."
The Duke Heads exchanged silent glances before Yamikage Shouhei, his earlier hostility now gone, spoke up, "I see. Perhaps I was too hardheaded in my response. No foul play had happened here."
With a slight nod of acknowledgment, Shouhei returned to his seat, and the other Dukes followed suit, their earlier tensions easing. The atmosphere, though still charged, shifted from one of confrontation to acceptance.
Hikari, satisfied that the situation had been resolved, returned to his seat as well and subtly signaled the host to continue the event.